Church Brings in High-Tech System

In addition to the first Midas XL8 digital live performance system installed in the U.S. at its epicenter, Westover Church (Greensboro, N.C.) also boasts an extensive Electro-Voice, Midas, Klark Teknik and Telex audio system for its new 3,000-seat worship center.

In addition to the first Midas XL8 digital live performance system installed in the U.S. at its epicenter, Westover Church (Greensboro, N.C.) also boasts an extensive Electro-Voice, Midas, Klark Teknik and Telex audio system for its new 3,000-seat worship center.

Westover technical director Danny Slaughter (pictured) worked with Design 2020 Church Media Consultants, Audio Ethics (Charlotte, N.C.), Telex Pro Audio Group reps Vision 2 Marketing and E-V tech support on the design, development and installation of the system, which features 204 E-V loudspeakers, including Xi, Xsub, QRx, SxA and EVID models. The main distributed delay and surround sound speaker systems are controlled and supervised with IRIS-Net software and E-V NetMax N8000 matrix hardware, all via the Midas XL8's worksurface.

“I was reliably informed that this software configuration for the NetMax system is currently the largest one in the U.S.” Slaughter says. “The audio consultants who tuned the room absolutely fell in love with NetMax. The control and surgical application it allows for a system this large is remarkable. We’re running 70 amplifiers and dozens of speakers, from surface-mounted EVID surrounds through to the Xi-series mains, fills and delays, and we know what every component is doing. We can provide precise real-time adjustments at all points in the signal chain, from crossover points and EQ points to feedback control. We use NetMax/IRIS-Net to control volume levels throughout the facility, turning off or turning down amplifiers directly from the XL8 control surface via the KVM switch. Coupled with the XL8—which I could talk about for hours—the E-V system here represents a new paradigm in house of worship sound."

In addition to the main room rig, E-V SxA 100+ and 250 boxes are installed in the practice room and broadcast areas. SxA250s are found in the foyer and are used for the portable house P.A. Fifty-six surface-mounted EVID 6.2s and 40 EVID C4.2 recessed ceiling speakers extend the surround sound effect throughout the building. E-V QRx Series boxes are used for monitors and delay subs. Mighty Xsubs provide low-end support for the main system.

Also included in the install is an extensive Telex intercom system and E-V wired and wireless microphones. Additional Midas Venice and Verona consoles handle post-production, broadcast playback and portable P.A duties. A Klark Teknik DN9331 Rapide graphic controller provides a quick, tactile interface for EQ functions.